-Three days later, Volknair-
Demon, accompanied by his maid and butler, gaze out at sea. The waves rush in and instantly shatter, retreating for another hopeful push.
Moonlight from all three moons glimmered in the water, turning them into small fractures of their original selves. Cold, salty breezes came in to refresh the trio as they waited.
Eight sets of footsteps pressed against the soft grass, each one sounding it belonged to different Variants. None of the servants turned to face them, but Demon did.
In their eyes, the butler or maid did not exist. Only their creator could see and interact with them. Which eased the elites in, making it easy to control them.
"Seven, like you wanted," Ether opened up.
"You don't want to be part of this?" Demon said while slowly lifting his hands to his waist. "These elites, new and old, need a leader. I can turn them into fabled Predators, but not maintain order."
Pearl stomped, making hardly a sound as her foot crushed grass. "I stand beside them as their leader. Ether's wish was to spend more time with our family, so I am taking mantle of leadership."
"Very well," Demon concluded.
He held his hands a fair distance away from his hips, studying who these elites were. Just as he expected, each face he saw was familiar.
Decka was there, shield over his shoulder. Pearl gripped her sword tight as it hung from the sheathe situated around her back. Hedix kept his gaze focused on Demon, he was unarmed.
"Legends of the Infinus-Light War stand before me. I am more than honored to meet you all up-close. Please, step aside from the new elites. I will perform a Right on you three, first," Demon ordered.
As requested, all three elites stepped aside. They stood shoulder to shoulder, keeping a cold expression on their face.
Throughout the years, they endured through conflicts and horrors. Yarno proving itself to be a mighty challenge did not shake them.
Demon began pulling his arms away from each other, which he struggled to do. There was an unseen force tugging them back into place. He had to fight it until he could lock his joints.
Both of his servants did the same. Except they could see the force that was acting on them. A focused beam of Distorted energy stretched from palm to palm.
It tried its hardest to resist being opened, but all three creations ripped the seal open. Now the power was coursing through their mostly metallic muscle fibers.
However, the strength was not for them. And they understood this. So they got to work on giving it to their respective owners.
Demon walked up to Decka, keeping a safe distance between the two. He then held a hand out in front of his chest, then yanked on something.
Whatever he was yanking on greatly impacted the hardened warfighter. It pulled on him as well, forcing his body closer to Demon's. The pain made him grunt and groan in protest.
Until he fell on his back. The grass cushioned his landing, however the shield continued to sting. Brief silence unsued as Demon helped Decka back up.
"Anyone want to be next?" he asked.
Several minutes later, after all three elites had a Right given to them, Demon turned to face the new elites. It was a lineup of fresh talent and courage.
Krim kept a wide grin plastered on his face, making him seem like a joker among serious folk. To his right stood a Zegus, her name was Eiko. Braided black hair decorated her cranium as she contrasted the neighboring Feral.
Glacial potential reflected off the eyes of the Thawed. This was Suth's son, Quillard, named in memory of Quill. He kept his shoulders broad and eyes cyan, allowing all to admire his young strength.
And lastly, a Yomie kept her hands close together. She was silent and careful, trying to take in as much information as she could without giving it away.
"What an odd choice," Demon said while awing in her direction. "A Yomie? Do you not miss your mate?"
"I do - a lot, sir. But my Legion chose me to represent them in the incoming invasion. I cannot and will not deny their call," she replied.
Demon nodded. "Well, what is your name?" his voice was sly.
"My name is Innerva, member of the Emmi-Kemmi family," Innerva responded.
"Beautiful name," Demon took a step back away from the group. "Now, do not be afraid."
Like once before, energy focused between his palms as he spread them apart. Unlike last time, the servants walked around the group. Each one positioned themselves around a random elite, then waited.
Demon continued as usual, setting them up for the Right they would receive. As Eiko and Quillard fell, the servants tainted them. Their gates were being rapidly drained without them knowing.
The reason for this would be clear in due time. But for now, they had to drain as many gates as possible. Demon requested it, saying the task would take far longer than they knew.
"We are done here," Demon concluded. "You seven have been given the Right to counter without strife. Any threats before you will be laid to waste."
Many of the newer elites grinned as they glanced down at themselves. They felt the power surge through, getting ready to lash out against an entire region.
However, the older elites continued to keep their cold expressions. It was engraved into them by this point, to show nothingness at new faces.
Ether stepped forward. "I will tell you all when to attack, but not right away. Give it some time, I'll try to have a meeting with Niro to see what is happening."
"You don't need a meeting," Demon held an arm out to keep Ether back. "It is obvious she is lustful for conflict. Do not let her lies deceive you."
"That's why I..." Ether forced Demon's arm down. "Am going to confront her about it. Enjoy your night, Demon. I know lies when I see them, don't need to point them out to me."
As the group walked away, he shook his head. Ether was weak minded, unknowingly contradicting what he said right before he left. He was not capable of detecting lies.
Demon has already lied to him enough. This was no exception.